title: Pilot study of a brief intervention based on the theory of planned behaviour and self-identity to increase chlamydia testing among young people living in deprived areas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to estimate the effects of a novel intervention, compared with usual chlamydia testing promotion, on chlamydia test uptake and intentions among young people living in deprived areas. The intervention was based on the theory of planned behaviour, augmented with self-identity, and targeted the significant predictors of chlamydia testing intentions identified in the previous research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cluster randomization was used to allocate college tutor groups (intervention n = 10; control n = 11) to the intervention or control group. The sample comprised 253 participants (intervention n = 145, control n = 108). The primary outcome was test offer uptake at the end of the session. Other outcomes measured at immediate follow-up were intention, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and self-identity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Generalized estimating equations, controlling for cluster effects and sexual activity, found a small but non-significant effect of condition on test offer uptake, OR = 1.65 (95% CI 0.70, 3.88) p = .25, with 57.5% of intervention participants accepting the offer of a test compared with 40.2% of control participants. Using the same analysis procedure, small-to-medium intervention effects were found on other outcome variables, including a significant effect on attitudes towards chlamydia testing, OR = 1.37 (95% CI 1.00, 1.87), p = .05.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results provide encouraging initial evidence that this theory-based intervention, targeting the key determinants of chlamydia testing, may help to improve chlamydia testing uptake in a high-risk group. They support the conduct of a larger trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
  What is already known on this subject? Young people living in areas of increased socio-economic deprivation have been identified as a high-risk group for chlamydia. Previous research within an extended model of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) found that attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and self-identity all significantly predicted chlamydia testing intentions in this high-risk group. What does this study add? Development and testing of a novel, TPB-based intervention targeting predictors of chlamydia testing intentions. The intervention led to significantly more positive attitudes towards chlamydia testing. Preliminary indication that a TPB-based intervention may help to improve chlamydia testing in a high-risk group.
authors.affiliation: ScHARR, University of Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Amy R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goyder
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011582:Psychological Theory; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: chlamydia screening; cluster randomized trial; self-identity; socio-economic status; theory of planned behaviour